Police catch suspected boat thieves

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KELOWNA — Two men felt the long arm of the law after a boat was stolen from where it had been moored on Okanagan Lake.

The owner discovered his 19-foot Sea Ray was missing early Friday morning from Poplar Point Drive after he saw his dingy, which he had left on shore, drifting in the middle of the lake.

Police say the owner spotted the boat and followed it to Lake Okanagan Resort.

The RCMP boat was launched, and arrived at the resort where two men, who were believed to be in the process of looting other boats docked in the area, were arrested.

"It was the quick actions of both the boat owner and the crew of RCMP reservist constables onboard the Southeast District RCMP boat that led to the suspects being taken into police custody without incident," said Const. Jesse O’Donaghey.

"It was clear to investigators that had these men not been arrested, they would have continued to victimize even more boat owners in the area."

A 28-year-old man and a 49-year-old man, both of Kelowna, face potential charges of theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime and possession of break-in instruments.

One of the men was released from custody and is expected to appear in court on Nov. 17. The other man was held in police custody over the weekend.